Ogemaw County man pleads guilty to CSC

An Ogemaw County bus driver has pleaded guilty to second-degree criminal sexual conduct.

James Matthews is a former employee of the Whittemore-Prescott school district. He was arrested in January.

He's accused of having sex with a student between the ages of 13 and 16. He was originally charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct. He would have faced up to life in prison if convicted of first-degree CSC.

State police began investigating the allegations in November 2012. Besides driving the school bus, Matthews also worked in the high school cafeteria.

A judge has ordered Matthews to stay away from schools, minors and social networks. Sources tell WNEM.com Matthews is married and has a daughter who is close in age to the minor he is accused of having a sexual relationship with.

According to a statement by the high school, the alleged sexual relationship did not happen on school grounds or on a bus.

According to Ogemaw County Prosecutor LaDonna Schultz, Matthews communicated frequently with the minor while on school grounds. Schultz said Matthews exchanged a number of text messages with the minor describing sex acts.

Schultz said it was students at the school who alerted administrators to a possible relationship between Matthews and the female student.

His sentencing hearing is scheduled for Aug. 7. He faces up to 15 years in prison.

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